Non-matriculated Accounting

The Milgard School of Business Non-matriculated Accounting Program is designed for students who have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and wish to complete the necessary accounting course work to sit for the CPA exam.  This is NOT a certificate program.  An alternative to this non-degree program is the Master of Science in Accounting, a Stem program. Learn more.

If you have specific questions regarding CPA exam requirements, please contact the Washington State Board of Accountancy.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
• 9-15 credits in Financial and Managerial Accounting (typically 200-level courses) with a 3.0 grade (B) or better in each course.

Admission is open for autumn quarter only and non-matriculated students do not qualify for financial aid because the courses do not lead to a degree.  

How To Apply

Step 1:

Apply as a non-matriculated student to UW Tacoma, and check the 'Business Non-matriculated Accounting Program' as your program of interest.

Step 2:

Email the following documents to the accounting program uwtmsacc@uw.edu.

• Official transcripts showing completion of a bachelor's degree and accounting prerequisites
• One page statement of intent
• One letter of recommendation

Accounting Curriculum

• T ACCT 301 Intermediate Accounting I
• T ACCT 302 Intermediate Accounting II
• T ACCT 303 Intermediate Accounting III
• T ACCT 311 Cost Accounting
• T ACCT 330 Introduction to Accounting Information Systems
• T ACCT 404 Advanced Financial Accounting
• T ACCT 411 Auditing Standards and Principles
• T ACCT 451 Individual Income Taxation

Note: TACCT 301 must be taken in order and prior to taking any 400-level courses.

Accounting courses are offered in sequence beginning in Autumn quarter. The accounting series will take an average of five quarters to complete. Students may also have the opportunity to take other business and non-business courses, as needed to sit for the CPA. For specific information regarding exam requirements, please contact the Washington State Board of Accountancy.

Refer to the B.A.B.A. course descriptions for more information.

CPA Exam Eligibility

According to the Washington State Board of Accountancy, to be eligible to take the CPA examination applicants must have completed:

• At least 150 semester-hour credits (225 quarter-hours) of college education,
• Baccalaureate or graduate degree from an accredited US college or university, and
• Concentration in accounting to include: 24 semester-hour credits (36 quarter-hours) in accounting subjects AND 24 semester-hour credits (36 quarter-hours) in business administration subjects at the undergraduate or graduate level

Helpful Websites

DiscoverCPA.org
Becker Conviser CPA Review
Accounting Career Guide
Wiley's CPA Review
Washington State Board of Accountancy